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Colorado college students fell ‘substantial distance’ to their deaths, officials say
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Two Colorado Mountain College students, Kaden Matsuda and Jackson Donlon, died after a "catastrophic failure" of their rappelling anchor caused them to fall a substantial distance in Chaffee County, Colorado.
- The students went missing on October 26 after hiking Ice Mountain, a technical climb in the Rocky Mountains, and their bodies were later recovered below West Apostle Mountain.
- Authorities confirmed their deaths were instant due to multiple blunt force injuries, and the cause of the anchor failure remains unknown.
- Despite heavy snowfall in the area around the time of the hike, officials do not believe the snowstorm directly contributed to the accident.
- Friends and family noted the students were experienced climbers, properly equipped, and had shared their route, underscoring the tragedy of the incident.
